The For All Mankind Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign
What if the Soviet Union had won the space race back in 1969 rather than the United States? That's only the first question posed by the Apple TV+ series "For All Mankind" in its initial season. What if the space race didn't end with the moon landing and instead kept increasing in intensity in the decades that followed? We don't know what the answers to these questions would really be, but "For All Mankind" poses a compelling alternate timeline for us to chew on.
"For All Mankind" boasts a diverse, ever-changing cast of characters throughout its run. There's Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), the Armstrong stand-in committed to taking space travel to new heights, and his wife Karen (Shantel VanSanten), a devoted wife and mother who conceals her own desires. Then there's Gordo (Michael Dorman) and Tracy Stevens (Sarah Jones), the astronaut couple who captures the heart of the nation, and Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour), the unassuming wallflower whose interstellar ambitions take her all the way to the White House.
Each character develops, changes, and even grows older thanks to a talented hair and makeup team. Still, the things that make them who they are –- their core desires and dreams -– never really go away. Since space travel is the theme of "For All Mankind," we thought we might look to the stars to better understand these fascinating characters. Read on to discover which "For All Mankind" character you are based on your zodiac sign.
Aries: Ed Baldwin
Ed Baldwin can be a hard guy to get to know. Like most "For All Mankind" characters, he contains many layers. A dedicated pilot, Ed is committed wholeheartedly to his job and sees himself as striving for excellence in everything he does. This sometimes creates problems with his wife Karen and his son Shane (Teddy Blum), who he doesn't always seem to have time for. He can also be short and angry with Shane when he feels he's not living up to his (admittedly sky-high) expectations.
Ed aligns most clearly with the sign of Aries. Those born under this sign are passionate, courageous, and love to be first. Associated with the warrior and the ram, these fire signs have a competitive streak and sometimes act before thinking. As a result of their energetic nature, they can be short-tempered and impatient with those around them.
These qualities describe Ed almost exactly. He's extremely committed to being first –- whether it is to the moon or to Mars –- and will stop at nothing to win the space race. We also see flashes of his temper when he's dealing with Shane or his team at NASA, exposing the passion which resides within his unflappable exterior. He does evolve as a person as the show goes on –- especially after the death of his son -– but the warrior within never fades away.
Taurus: Margo Madison
It's hard to say this with absolute certainty (which she would definitely want us to have), but we're pretty sure Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt) is the most committed person working at NASA. Margo's rise in NASA has been nothing short of meteoric. She started as an engineer before becoming the first woman to work in mission control and rising to the position of director of Johnson Space Center. Margo is so dedicated to the job that she's slept at the space center every night in a cot for 20 years. She's very set in her ways, and the only thing she does for pleasure is play the piano — which she also excels at, of course.
Margo is clearly a Taurus, the zodiac sign symbolized by the bull. Taureans are known for being stubborn individuals who avoid big changes. Practical, devoted, and very responsible, Taureans find comfort in routine. They are also associated with the archetype of the sensualist, which means they love being surrounded by beauty and enjoying material pleasures.
Margo is extremely devoted to furthering NASA's progress, no matter the cost. She rarely takes the time to care for herself, but when she does, it's always in a very intentional manner. While she used to play piano secretly in a club every week, she eventually brings a piano into her office so she could play at her leisure. It's this striking combination of stubborn drudgery and moments of beauty that illustrate the Taurean in Margo.
Gemini: Danielle Poole
Like all the employees at NASA, Danielle Poole (Krys Marshall) is dedicated to the job. As the first Black astronaut at NASA, Danielle had a lot to live up to, but she never buckles under the pressure. Though thrust into the spotlight, Danielle wasn't afraid to give up her chance at a real future to help her crewmate when he was in need. Nonetheless, Danielle never gave up her dreams of doing bigger and better things, campaigning as hard as possible to get sent on NASA's first Mars mission.
Danielle is a complicated figure, so it's only right that she be paired with the sign of Gemini. Cerebral air signs, Geminis are known as communicators. Versatile and adaptable, they love absorbing new knowledge and learning from everyone they meet. Though they are sometimes called two-faced or accused of being flaky, this is because their analytical, fast-moving nature means they sometimes miss the more sentimental side of things.
Danielle is a dynamic, energetic character, something she had to be in order to rise up in the ranks at NASA. Though Ed Baldwin may be considered the astronaut who's the best at making decisions off the cuff and adapting under uncertain circumstances, Danielle proved herself to be just as adept at making these hard choices as captain of NASA's Mars mission. Despite many setbacks, Danielle has never stopped moving toward the next big challenge.
Cancer: Danny Stevens
Danny Stevens (Casey W. Johnson) started off as a kid on "For All Mankind," which means we've had the opportunity to watch him grow up. Though something of a troublemaker as a child, he eventually decides to follow in his famous parents' footsteps by joining the Navy and going on to become an astronaut himself. Danny is extremely devoted to his family, a feeling that only intensifies after both his parents die at Jamestown. He becomes an astronaut to follow their example and because he still feels guilty about Shane's death. While he initially comes off as an even-tempered person, by Season 3 it's clear there are unresolved feelings Danny needs to deal with.
Danny is a Cancer, the sign most associated with emotions and sentimentality. Danny might not initially come off as the most emotional of the group, but it eventually becomes clear there's a lot boiling under the surface. It's evident that Danny has not made peace with his parents' death (which is understandable, of course), his guilt over Shane's death, or his obsession with Karen Baldwin.
Cancers are quite emotional and sensitive, which is certainly the case for Danny. Those born under this sign also tend to be extremely nostalgic and sentimental, feelings that, under the right circumstances, can sour and turn into a desire for vengeance. Danny is stuck in the past and trapped within his own feelings, feelings which make him more and more unstable as the days go on.
Leo: Tracy Stevens
Passionate, creative fire signs, Leos have big personalities and like being the center of attention. Confident, loyal, and always ready to entertain, they think of themselves as the rulers of their domain. Though they may have some attention-seeking ways, Leos are also generous, warm, and have a cheerful spirit. Underneath the Leos' theatricality is a deep-seated desire to be admired and respected.
Tracy Stevens is one of the most beloved astronauts at NASA. Having grown up flying herself, Tracy put her dreams on hold to be a mother to Danny and a wife to Gordo. When she gets the opportunity to become an astronaut herself, she jumps at the chance. However, Tracy doesn't just stop at being a competent astronaut. She goes on to become America's sweetheart and the beautiful, charming face of NASA.
Though some may claim that Tracy is just in it for fame and fortune, that's just not true. Though she certainly never turns down the attention –- in typical Leo form -– Tracy strongly believes it is high time that she gets a chance in the spotlight, and rightly so. None of this stops Tracy from being a good astronaut though, as she and Gordo go on to sacrifice their lives to save the residents of Jamestown. Tracy may have had a showy side to her, but this never takes away from the love she has for her family or her dedication to space travel. She is a fiery Leo through and through.
Virgo: Aleida Rosales
Methodical earth signs, Virgos are known as the analysts of the zodiac. Those born under this sign are constantly analyzing everything around them and trying to come up with solutions to problems. They can be quite judgemental, but they usually have good intentions. Hardworking, practical, and detail-oriented, Virgos believe in their abilities and will stand by their opinions when they have facts to back them up. They tend to be perfectionists who struggle to step away from their work.
Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña) has had a long road to get to where she is at NASA. Like most of her colleagues, she is extremely dedicated to the job. Margo sees something in her from the time that she is a young girl, and she is right to put her faith in Aleida. She is brilliant, hard-working, and her engineering talent is unparalleled at NASA. If there's a problem to solve, Aleida will figure it out.
The downside to Aleida's dedication to the job is the effect it has on her personal life. Her husband accuses her of caring more about the job than her family, which isn't exactly an unfair accusation considering how much time she spends working. Like most Virgos, Aleida finds it nearly impossible to let go of an idea once she's thought of it. This becomes problematic when she discovers the information leak between NASA and the Soviets, something that could very well lead to the destruction of Margo.
Libra: Karen Baldwin
Out of everyone in "For All Mankind," Karen Baldwin may have changed the most. She begins as housewife doing her best to keep everything normal while her husband is preparing to go into space. However, after her son dies, all bets are off. She realizes she doesn't really know who she is apart from a wife and a mother, so she sets out to discover that. Karen realizes that she has a head (and a heart) for business, so she begins building her own legacy.
From housewife to entrepreneur, Karen has always been a Libra. Libras are symbolized by the scales and associated either with the lover or the diplomat. Cooperative and fair, Libras are committed to keeping the peace. They are compassionate, enjoy helping others, and can see every side of a situation. Due to their diplomatic nature, they sometimes struggle to make decisions and avoid disorder at all costs.
Karen's Libra nature shines through in every stage of her life. As an astronaut's wife, Karen is motivated by her desire to keep her house running smoothly while protecting her son from her husband's anger. She is the glue that holds the family together. When she becomes a businesswoman, Karen realizes her skills in diplomacy serve her well in this area of her life as she develops the ability to broker deals under any circumstances. You definitely don't want to bet against Karen Baldwin.
Scorpio: Larry Wilson
Larry Wilson (Nate Corddry) is the dark horse of "For All Mankind," which is why he's also a Scorpio. Defined by the archetype of the alchemist, Scorpios are intense and cunning individuals. They are very intuitive and use their intuition to carefully plan out their goals. The dark side of Scorpios is that they can be calculating and manipulative, but if they're in your corner, they are passionate, loyal friends to the end.
Larry becomes an important character on the show through his association with Ellen. A rising star at NASA, Ellen has one big secret — she's gay. Larry, also gay, realizes that if he marries Ellen, it would protect both of them from scrutiny by the government and they would be able to excel even further in their careers. Larry winds up being right, as Ellen is sworn in as president nearly twenty years later.
It's always been clear that Larry, a former NASA engineer, is a smart guy. However, what separates him from his colleagues at NASA is the breadth of his vision for the future. Not content with just building rockets, Larry dreams bigger, planning a strategy to implement his vision on the national level. There is never anything explicitly nefarious about Larry's big plan, but it does mean that he and Ellen have to make some huge sacrifices to be in a position of power. For a cunning Scorpio like Larry, these sacrifices are well worth it.
Sagittarius: Gordo Stevens
Gordo Stevens may be a very imperfect person, but it's hard to deny the fact that he's a charming, jovial guy. An adrenaline-chaser like his best friend, Ed, Gordo is all about having fun. He's a talented pilot who loves the thrill of flying. Gordo has his flaws, of course. He isn't always the greatest husband to Tracy, as he cheats on her and leaves her at home with the kids more than once. He also parties a little too hard more often than he should, and his problems with alcohol make him unreliable at times.
The high-flying Gordo is definitely a Sagitarrius, the sign known as the traveler of the zodiac. Sagittarians tend to be friendly, generous, and the life of the party. They have an obsession with self-improvement and are always itching to go explore and experience new things. They tend to resist the rules because of their restless, spontaneous nature. Though Sagittarians love getting out there in search of the truth, they can't always be trusted to follow through.
These characteristics fit Gordo to a tee. He loves adventure and taking on new challenges, but his follow-through could use some work. Though he is loved by his colleagues and friends, he also struggles to be a reliable father and husband. He eventually matures enough to admit to his many mistakes, and his last act — performed alongside his ex-wife — is to save the lives of others. Who says a Sagitarrius can't settle down?
Capricorn: Ellen Wilson
Ellen Wilson is one of the strongest characters on the show, but she's also somewhat inscrutable — perhaps even to herself. Arriving at NASA in the early '70s, Ellen quickly proves that she deserves to be there, eventually becoming the captain of Jamestown. However, Ellen has big dreams, and her dreams don't square well with her personal life. She winds up saying goodbye to the love of her life, Pam (Meghan Leathers), to continue her career as an astronaut, and her ambition eventually leads her to become the president of the United States.
An ever-stoic leader, Ellen is undoubtedly a Capricorn. Capricorns are responsible, disciplined signs associated with leadership. Realistic and hard working, they exhibit a lot of self-control and tend to repress any emotions that might get in the way of their success. Capricorns are those individuals who have acted like adults from the time they were young, though they sometimes become more youthful as they grow older. They may take a while to warm up to you, but they are dutiful friends once you get to know them.
Ellen's Capricorn qualities couldn't be more obvious. She was willing to give up the person most dear to her to further her career, despite the fact that it hurt her to do so. Though she eventually became the most powerful person in the United States, the sacrifices she makes to get there mean that her own feelings have to be almost entirely left out of the picture.
Aquarius: Molly Cobb
Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger) just may be the most unique person to have ever worked at NASA. A veteran pilot by the time she enters the program in the early '70s, Molly has a lot of confidence and the skills to back it up. Molly's the kind of person who doesn't care what anyone thinks of her as long as she gets to do what she loves. A daring iconoclast, Molly is also a skilled astronaut who is committed to protecting her crew. Though she may not fit in among the bureaucrats at NASA, she excels at her job because she cares about her fellow astronauts.
The indomitable Molly Cobb can't be anything else but an Aquarius. Known as the humanitarians of the zodiac, Aquarians tend to be esoteric and eccentric. They see themselves as outcasts and desire personal freedom above everything else. Progressive and independent, Aquarians sometimes forget to think about small details and those pesky little things called feelings while they're thinking about the big picture.
Molly isn't afraid to stand up for herself and what she believes in at NASA. This leads to her getting fired at one point, something she takes in stride, like everything else in her life. Going blind due to her protocol-defying heroics doesn't stop Molly from doing the things she loves either, though her tendency to stay trapped in denial made things pretty difficult for her for a while. All in all, Molly is a true original.
Pisces: Wayne Cobb
As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces are said to encompass all that has come before. Since they are so imaginative, Pisces tend to struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality at times. Compassionate, artistic, and gentle, Pisces are the most intuitive signs in the entire zodiac. Though it may sometimes seem like they have their head in the clouds, Pisces are actually incredibly wise and have a maturity about them despite their sometimes childlike appearance.
Wayne Cobb (Lenny Jacobson), Molly Cobb's husband, is one of the most well-adjusted characters in the entire show. Like those born under the sign of Pisces, Wayne is very creative and artistic, and he has a soft, romantic side to him. At first glance, he might seem like an odd partner for the independent, brave-hearted Molly, but upon closer inspection, it's obvious they are a perfect match.
Though Wayne is a mystical Pisces, he's actually quite grounded and realistic, a quality that perfectly balances Molly's recklessness. Wayne is very in touch with his sensitive side, and he's skilled at getting others to look deeper within as well. His wife notwithstanding, he probably has had the largest effect on Karen, a woman who is quite tightly wound before she meets him. Don't underestimate the power of a Pisces with a wealth of emotional intelligence to share.